Scarcity; Dangote triggers further hike in fuel price

Several MRS filling stations, one of the major retail partners of Dangote Petroleum Refinery, have remained without Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, for at least seven days, raising concerns among motorists as fuel prices continue to climb across parts of the country.

Checks conducted at MRS outlets in Abuja and surrounding areas indicated that many of the stations have not received fresh petrol supplies since July 17, 2026, leaving dispensing pumps idle and forcing motorists to seek fuel from alternative marketers.

A manager at one of the affected MRS filling stations in the Federal Capital Territory, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the supply disruption.

According to the manager, the station had not received petrol supplies since last Thursday but expressed optimism those deliveries would resume following Dangote Refinery’s decision to recommence petrol sales in naira.

“We have not had fuel supply since last Thursday. However, we hope to get supply today (Friday) following the resumption of Dangote Refinery’s gantry sales in naira,” the station manager said.

READ ALSO: Dangote Refinery resumes petrol sales in naira, raises ex-depot price to ₦1,215 per litre

The temporary supply disruption followed Dangote Refinery’s suspension of petrol sales through its gantry in naira on July 15, 2026, a development that created uncertainty across the downstream petroleum market.

The refinery, however, resumed naira-denominated sales on Thursday, announcing a new ex-depot price of N1,215 per litre, up from the previous N1,175 per litre, reflecting a fresh increase in wholesale pricing.

Industry stakeholders say the refinery’s return to naira transactions has helped restore confidence in the downstream sector after several days of uncertainty that disrupted product distribution and influenced market pricing.

Despite the resumption of supply, marketers and depot operators have already adjusted pump prices upward, with petrol prices increasing at least twice within the past week.

In Abuja, the retail price of petrol now ranges between N1,300 and N1,340 per litre, depending on location and retail outlet, adding further pressure on consumers already grappling with rising transportation and living costs.

Analysts believe the interruption in product supply to key retail outlets such as MRS contributed to temporary shortages in some locations, prompting many independent marketers to source products at higher depot prices, which were subsequently passed on to consumers.

The latest development underscores the growing influence of Dangote Refinery on Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, where changes in the refinery’s pricing and supply policies increasingly shape market dynamics, product availability and pump prices nationwide.

Market observers are expected to monitor whether the restoration of petrol sales in naira will lead to improved product availability at MRS and other affiliated filling stations in the coming days, or whether the recent wholesale price increase will sustain the upward trend in retail fuel prices.